Latest News
Keep up to date with all the news happening in school
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Usborne Book Fair
Thu 23 Feb 2023Dear Parent/Guardian,
To promote reading for pleasure and to encourage our pupils to read more broadly, we are having a school book fair between the 27th February - 3rd March.
The book fair is being organised in conjunction with our local Usborne Partner, Laura Gailis and every book purchased will go towards brand new FREE books for our school.
Usborne will also donate up to 60% of the total book fair sales value raised in
FREE BOOKS to the school. So, for every £600 of books purchased, we will get £360 in FREE Usborne books for our school!
Books will be available to browse during the week of the book fair by the school office, including during parents evening. You can also browse the main Usborne website. Then simply fill in an order form with your chosen books and return it to the school. Books can be ordered throughout the week of the book fair and paid for by cash, card, PayPal or bank transfer. You should receive your order by 2 weeks after the event. World Book Day vouchers will be accepted at the fair for a £1 discount off any book over £2.99.
We look forward to having lots more books for your child to read, share and enjoy!
For more information and for tailored book recommendations for your child, please contact: Laura Gailis.
07725659466
@therainbowbookcorner (Facebook)
https://usborne.com/gb/books
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Weekly Update-Friday 10th February
Tue 07 Feb 2023This week has been full of learning in school. We started the week with an assembly about the invisible strings that connect us to friends, family and even pets as part of our children's mental health week. The children could all tell each other who is on the end of at least one of their strings. It was a lovely way for the children to visualise the connections they have in their lives.
Miss Apsey led an assembly to celebrate 'safer internet day' and we have sent home a reminder poster for all children about internet safety. Our safety settings are set high as a school, and it would be a good time to check your home settings as well.
Our Parent Teacher meetings are at the end of February, and an email for our booking system has gone out to all parents. Please check your inboxes for the email and book on for your preferred time slot.
Each year the school has a small sum of money put into a budget called 'capital'. This money can only be used for specific items, such as IT and improving the learning environment. The government has put extra into this pot this year, and schools have been asked to improve, where possible, energy efficiency in schools. We will be using it in this way where we can, and we had also planned for new tables and chairs for Year 1 which arrived on Wednesday. Thank you to the two dads who stayed behind and helped us move the tables and chairs down to the class-we were really grateful for your help!We will have a book stall operating in our school entrance for the duration of the week beginning 27th February, where children can also use their World Book Day vouchers. It will be an order form system and will also be running for both parent's evenings too. More news will be given about this after half term. Due to uncertainty regarding industrial action, our World Book Day activities will be taking place on Friday 3rd March.
Our Reading Raffle winner this week was Sophie in Year 2.There are lots of entries going in each week now and the chatter about reading is all around the school. Thank you to all parents who are supporting more reading at home. It really is making a difference. We have ordered more phonic guided reading books to come home to practise, and need help covering them with sticky back. If you are good at covering (some people have a real knack!), and would like to help please let us know next half term.
We did not send attendance letters out at Christmas time this year, as so many children's attendance was affected by the bugs that were sweeping through the school. Children under 90% attendance are classed as 'persistent absentee' by the DFE. In the 'Working Together to Improve Attendance' published in September 2022, it states;
'The pupils with the highest attainment at the end of key stage 2 and key stage 4 have higher rates of attendance over the key stage compared to those with the lowest attainment.'
If you would like to read more about the document, and what schools have to do regarding attendance, please click on the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance
We have been made aware of an increasing number of independent SEN advisers charging parents for advice, without qualifications to practice. Our advice would be to always talk to school first if you have any concerns or worries. Please come and talk to the class teacher or our excellent Special Educational Needs Coordinator, Penny Campone. Hampshire also runs a completely impartial free service for parents and carers, with qualified professionals, to give advice, support and information to all parents called SENDIASS. Please click on the link below for SENDIASS website
https://www.hampshiresendiass.co.uk/
We wish you all a restful half term and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 21st February.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Children's Mental Health Week
Mon 06 Feb 2023This week it is 'Children's Mental Health Week', where the spotlight is being shone on how we can help children make meaningful connections to support mental health. Our assemblies will be focused on connections this week and there are lots of resources on the Children's mental Health week for both teachers and children to use
Please follow the link below to find out about support for children's mental health, or if you would like to make a donation to the charity.
https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/
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Weekly Update Friday 3rd February
Sat 04 Feb 2023What fun we had at the disco last night! Crazy M was as crazy as ever, with party games and dancing. All the teachers and parents had a good time too and some managed to have a boogie. Thank you to everyone who helped.
This week, we had 6 new balance bikes and helmets delivered from a road safety initiative we signed up to for our Year R balance bike training in the summer. We will let Year R parents know when we are starting this exciting project.
We have put a new giant world map up on the wall in the newer part of the school, and every time the staff walk past we are finding children talking about the different places they have travelled to, learned about or have relatives.
This week, in assembly, we read 'The Emperor's New Clothes' and discussed why the Emperor believed the two tailors, and how they had influenced his decisions. We talked about modern day influencers, and how the internet can be used to influence what people want/believe (such as the popularity of 'Prime' drinks). The children had lots of ideas on how they could try not to be influenced, and what the Emperor should have done.
Millie won the reading raffle this week, and she chose a new Winnie the Witch story. 5 children were chosen by their teachers to be ‘Star of the Week’ in Friday’s assembly for their amazing progress in reading- well done to everybody!
Good luck to all the children playing in a match this weekend and we will look forward to seeing you Monday morning where you can tell us all about them.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Weekly Update Friday 27th January
Sat 28 Jan 2023Dear Parents and Carers
We have had a positive response to the cones being put out, from parents walking their children to school. We are hoping this will help families have better visibility when crossing the roads whilst coming to school. I have contacted Winchester City Council regarding the new enforceable road markings, and these are still going ahead this year.
The lunchtime clubs for Year 2 are going really well and I have a plea from lego club. If anyone has any Lego ‘base boards’ to build on, and would like to donate them to our club, we would be very grateful. Next week we are going with the children’s idea of ‘this could be in Star Wars’- I can’t wait to see what they’ll create!
Year 1’s magical dragon monsters are making their way to our entrance display and they are beautiful. Using the skills of pinching and pulling, their mythical creatures look amazing!
Oliver in Year R won our book raffle this week for 3 home reads. It is becoming a favourite part of our Celebration Assembly on Fridays.
We explored the tradition of ‘Burns Night’ in assembly this week. After finding out that Robert Burns composed Auld Lang Syne, we had the biggest singalong in our rows. It was great fun!
Everyone should have received an email about the NEU industrial action this week. Please check your inboxes, if you haven’t read it.
Our PTA will be outside this week with their card reader for any payments for the disco on Friday. Please remember to send disco clothes in a bag on Friday 3rd February. Pick up will be from your child’s classroom door.
We hope you all have a lovely weekend
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Welcome to our new wrap around care providers-C.M. Sports!
Wed 25 Jan 2023Dear Parents and Carers
After the positive feedback we have received from children, teachers and parents, and following discussions with both County and C.M Sports, I am delighted to let you know that C.M Sports will be operating the wraparound care after school at Bishops Waltham Infant School moving forward from February.
After working with Luke and his team for seven years in both sports coaching and after school coaching at Bishops Waltham, I am excited about the new after school venture. His staff are always happy and cheerful and know the children in their care really well. Parents who have been using the club since January have been emailing us all their positive messages about the club.
The booking system is now open for next half term and beyond. If you have never used wraparound care before, and would like your child to try it, please contact C. M. Sports re booking.
Thank you to all the parents who have been so patient during the past few months. We understand how this could have been very stressful for working parents, and hopefully the measures we swiftly put in place, with the invaluable help of Mrs Ely and Miss Ely, eased the stress caused by the previous care provider.
Kind regards
Mrs Riches
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Urgent Help for BWIS Family
Sun 22 Jan 2023Dear School Community
Yesterday, one of our BWIS families tragically suffered a house fire at their home. The family are safe, but devastatingly lost their dog and possessions. We are sharing the article below with all the details of how people can help, if they are able to
Kind regards
Mrs Riches
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Weekly Update 20/1/2023
Thu 19 Jan 2023Dear Parents and Carers
Our frosty week held much excitement for the children this week! Year 2 weather monitors couldn't believe the temperature went into minus figures! Year R had to wait for their water trays to thaw, and all the children have loved seeing the sparkly frost in our grounds as the sun came out.
We celebrated Lunar New Year in assembly this week, enjoying stories that took us to China. We found China on our large hall map, and children were astonished how large it was. We have items on our 'curiosity tree' in our Wonder Wood Learning Library that are all connected to the Lunar New Year, and the children have had fun trying to work out what they may be.
Year 1 left everybody astounded with their magical Dragon Dance outcomes to parents. The costumes looked amazing! The video of the dances will be available on tapestry to watch at home.
We have been made aware of two internet safety concerns we would like you to be aware of. The first is the popular program of 'Roblox', where strangers can contact children. There have been incidents in the news of grooming children via this method, and we are advising parents to look at the settings/not let children play without an adult present. The second concern is the use of algorithms in YouTube. Research has shown that pop up algorithms can push users towards extreme/unsuitable content. Again, our advice is for parents to only allow access to YouTube kids, and to be present/monitor when your child is online.
We will also be talking to the children in class about keeping safe online as part of our regular internet safety talks. For more information on internet safety, please visit our page below:
It has been lovely to see the children's enthusiasm for reading increase and they can't wait for the book raffle in our celebration assembly on Friday. This weeks winner is Ella from Year 2. Thank you to all the parents who are helping us get BWIS reading again!
Last week we welcomed Amanda Parsons from Hampshire Music Service to our school. Amanda will be teaching music each week with KS1 children, in partnership with our music lead, Mrs Moth.
Our new poster reminding drivers not to park on zigs has arrived. It was designed by our school council and they helped Mrs Charles put it up today.
You may have seen on the news that the NEU teaching union have voted for strike action in schools in February and March. The first national planned strike day is on the 1st February. When I have a better understanding of how this will affect the running of our school, I will contact all parents regarding arrangements using the guidance issued by the DFE and NAHT.
CM Sports have continued to have a lot of fun with the children this week, and I will be meeting with the club next week with a view to continue past half term. As soon as I have an update on this, I will let you know.
We know parents like to have as much notice as possible regarding fancy dress and dressing up. After much consideration,, and in light of the current climate, we are giving notice that we will not be dressing up for 'World Book Day' this year. Instead we will be concentrating on reading books and sharing favourite stories, with planned reading activities.
Our PTA are running an extra disco this year on Friday 3rd February for all year groups. They will be outside the school from next Monday collecting in payment and permission slips.
I hope you have a lovely weekend
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Weekly Update Friday 12th January
Thu 12 Jan 2023Dear Parents and Carers
We have had another wet, soggy week, but the children are still smiling! Thank you to Miss Turner and Miss Campbell for leading the Year R Phonics talk this week. Lots of parents found it really useful, and we have considered your feedback about making it earlier next year and will change the date.
The closing date for our Year R entrants and Year 3 entrants 2023 is this weekend, so if you haven't applied yet, please make sure you do so before the deadline.
CM Sports are really enjoying running the after school club and keep telling us how lovely our children are. The children are having a great time too, and told us that the after school club's colouring pens are' the best'.
We had a lovely PTA meeting on Wednesday evening and planned lots of exciting events for this half term. They will be coming out to you all soon, so watch this space. We are always very grateful for all the funds that support us in school. This year's funds have already paid for the panto, our Santa books and our raffle books. We cannot wait for our Reflection area to be built in our school grounds, and now we have more funds to use, we will be moving forward with this soon.
This week is ‘World Religion’ Week. We had stories from Buddhism and Sikhism in assembly. The children were very interested in the differences to Christianity and the similarity, in that the stories were about being good and kind.
Our new reading raffle has been very popular, with a marked increase in home reading (THANK YOU!). This week's winner was Madison in Year 2 and she chose her book prize out of the book box. Each week there is a new winner, and entry is three home reads a week (remember they can read a home book or school book).
We have fingers crossed again for a brighter, less soggy, weekend.
Best wishes
Mrs Riches
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Thank you for your donations!
Fri 06 Jan 2023
